I have noticed that travels have fascinating experiences for those of us who dare to go out and experience them, but I have also noticed that there are times when, despite knowing it, I have felt a little fearful, even getting anxiety, having to confront everything thought that causes it, counting the reasons to desist or win through win through the fierce force to not let me steal those opportunities; opportunities that are often unrepeatable. But I decided to investigate and I noticed that the same thing happens to many travelers and there are different writings with wonderful advice for those who fear going abroad, traveling by bus, traveling by plane, or simply leaving the house., So reading I hit several sometimes with two interesting words and in which the root of these fears could be found, described by psychology as panic disorders that cause anxiety because of their effects: "Agoraphobia" and "Hodofobia" that if not treated effectively, reach postpone our trips.
¿What are these disorders?.
Agoraphobia.
This disorder consists of a fear and intense anxiety to be in places where it is difficult to escape or where help could not be available. Agoraphobia usually involves fear of crowds, bridges or being alone in outdoor spaces. Sometimes it happens when a person has had a panic attack and begins to be afraid of situations that could lead to another attack.
(Concept of Medlineplus) https://medlineplus.gov/english/article/000923.htm
I remember that in my psychology studies I diagnosed a friend with this disorder because he was afraid to leave the house, even getting away caused some anxiety, so when we talked about the beginning of this sensation, he told me that what he remembered was that since he decided to leave his uncle's farm he began to feel this way, since in it they were victims of a robbery, where they were bound and beaten, logically, it was a traumatic experience and the amygdala of his brain sent signals alert to protect themselves from external agents that could threaten their security.
Hodophobia.
It is an intense and irrational fear of travel. People who face this phobia can limit travel, away from home, to a certain distance or time. Other hodophobic people fear certain forms of transport and do not travel by boat or plane, for example. People affected by hodophobia may fear that they will get lost during the trip. In the example of specific forms of transportation, the person may fear a loss of control during the trip.
(Concept of the portal Psychology Guide) http://guiapsicologia.com/fobias/hodofobia/
¿Why your fears?
We are not all equal and perhaps with some phobia we identify ourselves in large, medium or small proportion. The truth is that they seem irrational other times we believe that they are supported by voices of alert to the risky situations and social insecurity that afflicts the world, even more where insecurity is a characteristic problem in some region, other times they are related to a traumatic event previous or while traveling, as thefts or accidents, the physical symptoms that often accompany us as dizziness, which is why a travel thought comes to cause reactions of anxiety and panic.
¿Why face them?
It is important to confront them because they can invade us with feelings of frustration and failure, in addition to remaining in a state of fear that seeks to separate us from pleasant experiences. experiences so which are positive as :
- Discover new places.
- Know other cultures.
- Socialize and make new friends.
- Fly long distances to reach other countries.
- Be free not to limit yourself due to lack of company
- Enjoy tasting the pleasure of conquering the fulfillment of the destiny with which you have dreamed of knowing.
- Taste the cuisine of other places.
- Experience those experiences that you will never be able to appreciate if you stay at home.
- Take those photos that capture the most imposing natural monuments or what you want to immortalize with that image.
- Let your eyes be enlightened by the beauty that surrounds the world, that your thoughts be widened before inspiring and brilliant people.
- That new ideas arise and the ingenuity is renewed to leverage your business when you know new market trends.
¿Is there a way to overcome it?
My parents have a saying and that everything has a remedy in this life, except death, and I am sure that many of those who love traveling have had to shelter us from faith in God, in practicing self-therapy, in letting ourselves be seduced by the strength of the experiences lived by the trips, however, I do not dismiss the advice that a good therapist could give, since if the fear is intense, so marked that it distances you from experiencing travel a of the first options is to be guided by professionals to walk to the overcoming, by means of cognitive therapies and the gradual exposure to face those situations that are often avoided, in such a way that the success is obtained. Speaking of time of occurrence for recovery depends on the individual circumstances of each person.
In an article posted on a psychology portal, I found a series of tips that I would like to share:
- When traveling, it is always good to wait for delays and give yourself enough time to get to the airport, the train station or your destination.
- Get enough sleep.
- Insomnia accelerates anxiety.
- Make sure you get a good night's sleep before traveling.
- Stay hydrated.
- Carry a bottle of water with you (you probably can not take it on the plane).
- Dehydration can increase anxiety levels.
- Eat well and bring some snacks.
- As with sleeping and staying hydrated, making sure you're not hungry can help decrease your anxiety.
- Forget alcohol and drugs.
- It is tempting to take a few drinks or take a sleeping pill to keep anxiety at bay, but often these methods go awry and leave you more anxious.
- If you need something to decrease anxiety, talk to your doctor about anxiolytics and how you should use them.
- Do not try to take more than indicated.
- Travel with someone you trust; try to find a person who can accompany you.
- Let your companion know about your fears and what warning signs to keep in mind, such as tremors or confusion. This way your friend can come in and help.
https://psicoportal.com/psicologia/miedo-a-viajar/
I want to leave a question to you that you have taken some time to read this post: